Direction signal for automobiles



May 28,1935. F T. 2,002,503

DIRECTION SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Nov. 19, 1930 v 4.4 ATTORNEY;

Patented May 28, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DIRECTION SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILES Charles Foti, Arnold, Pa., assignor of one-third to John Speranza and one-third to Marco D. Achille, both of Arnold, Pa.

Application November 19, 1930, Serial No. 496,730

1 Claim.

5 sides of the machine and positioned on the front and rear mudguards, either pair of signals being illuminated by bulbs therein wired to the electric circuit of the machine and such circuits being controlled by switches, and whereby trafiic to both the front and rear of the machine will be duly warned with respect to the course the driver is to pursue.

A further and important object is the particu lar and peculiar construction of lamp housings for the signals wherein the reflectors in the housings will cause the full rays of light from the bulbs therein to be directed to the translucent signal panels on the Outer faces of the housings. To the attainment of the foregoing the invention consists in the improvement hereinafter de scribed and. definitely claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view of a signal constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view.

The full complement of signals to be employed consists of four, positioned one on each of 'the fenders or mud-guards of a motor vehicle.

Each signal is of a similar construction and, therefore, a detail description of one will be taken as equally applicable to the remaining. The houses for the signals are of a particular and peculiar construction. Each house is constructed of metal and includes a substantially triangular back portion 2. The back is preferably provided with a centralopening in which there is seated a ruby glass. The top 3 is arranged at an upward inclination with respect to the straight back 2 and extends from the reduced upper end of the substantially triangular back 2. The bottom 4 extends at a downward angle from the back and has its ends gradually widened from its connection with the back to the lower and front edge of the said bottom 4. The sides 6, which are connected to the outer edges of the back 2 and the top 3 are arranged at outward angles from the said members 2 and 3 and have their edges connected to the upper straight edge of the rim Or flange 1 whose lower and angle edge is secured to the outer angle edges of the bottom 4. The front of each lamp house is straight and provided on its top and sides with an inwardly directed flange 8, and inward of the flange the inner face of the top and sides are formed with a groove 9. In this groove there is received the translucent plate or panel Ill. The panel is held in the groove 9 through the medium of a removable angle plate II which is removably secured, by means l2, to the straight outer end of the bottom 4. The translucent plate I0 is provided with translucent direction signals l 3, the same being in the nature of hands and the index finger on the signals of the respective houses point outwardly or away from the machine on which they are mounted.

The angle bottom 4 is provided with a round opening therethrough surrounded by 2. depending flange or collar l4, and in this collar there is received the reduced'end of a flared sleeve l which is rigidly fixed to and extends. upwardly from each of the mudguards. The reduced bore at the upper end of each of the sleeves i5 is thread ed and these threads engage with exterior threads on the sockets l6 that carry lamp bulbs l I. The circuit wires for the sockets are suitably encased and for distinction are indicated by the numerals l8. A binding element, such as a short bolt I9, passes through the collar l4 and frictionally contactswith the sleeve I5 for holding the lamp housings in proper position as well as rigidly upon the sleeves.

To remove the transparent signal plates or panels ID the bolt members I9 are unscrewed to permit of the lamp housings being turned at a right angle with respect to the mudguards of the automobile which will bring the Outer edges of the lamp housings beyond the outer edges of the said mudguards and thereby permit of the removal of the flange l l and the downward sliding of the panels or plates ID from the housings. If desired and as disclosed by the drawing the flange of the outer face of the housing may be continuous and in lieu of the right angular plate the holding means may be in the nature of a strip.

Having described the invention, I claim:

A signal comprising a casing formed with a transparency in one wall thereof and with a bottom wall inclined upwardly to lie in a plane at an acute angle to the plane of said lens'and provided with an opening disposed adjacent its highest point, a sleeve for seating on a vehicle fender in surrounding relation to an opening formed therein, means on said sleeve to engage the bottom of said fender, and a socket threaded in the sleeve, the upper end of the sleeve being receivable in the opening in the inclined bottom wall of the casing and the latter having a fastener to fixedly engage it with the sleeve, whereby the lens carrying end of the casing may seat on the curved upper face of the vehicle fender, while the sleeve engaging portion remains elevated from the fender.

CHARLES FOTI. 

